Dipper stick foot piece



Oct. 25, 1932. A. E. HOLCOMB DIPPER STICK FOOT PIECE Filed Feb. 12, 1951' 5 Sheets-Sheet aka camp Oct. 25, 1932. E. HOLCOMB DIPPER STICK FOOT PIECE Filed Feb. 12. 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 gwumtow fin PHEUS 1i Homo/v5 Oct. 25, 1932. A. E. HOLCOMB DIPPER STICK FOOT PIECE Filed Feb. 12. 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 gwmzntoz fiLPHEUS f. fioLcoMB.

Cltiozwup Patented Oct. 25, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFHCE ALPHEUS E. HOLCOMB, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO KOEHRING COMPANY, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION DIPPER STICK FOOT PIECE Application filed. February 12, 1931.

The present invention has to do with an attachment means for connecting the dipper of a dipper crane excavator to its dipper stick or handle. The invention comprises an im- 5 proved dipper stick foot piece in the form of a simplified foot casting construction that will permit ease of assembly and disassembly between the cooperating parts of the dipper stick and dipper assemblies of an excavata ing machine of the shovel crane type referred to. Excavating machines of this type, as they are at present made, will not permit of quick removal of either the dipper stick or dipper assemblies for the purpose of replacement, this being due to the necessity of removing the many nut and bolt connections and other retaining parts that are ordinarily employed in maintaining the various parts in operative "fassembled position.

Inasmuch as only highly skilled labor is employed in operating excavating machines, and inasmuch as it is desirable to maintain but as few operators as is consistent with good judgment at any particular scene of operation, it is frequently the case that where replacement is required, should a dipper stick or dipper itself become broken, the skilled labor that is available must be applied to the job of replacement. WVhere such replacement is diflicult and consumes a considerable amount of time, an undue expense is incurred by virtue of the fact that skilled operators, whose services might more profitably be applied to other tasks, are obliged toapply themselves to the task of replacement. Particularly is this task of replacement a tedious one in connect-ion with machines of the shovel crane type as they are now manufactured.

The principal object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a foot casting that will permit greater ease of assembly and disassembly with a saving of time in the replacement of dippers, or of dipper sticks, whichever becomes necessary, and with a consequent saving in time and labor. Economy due to a saving in labor involved in the improved construction being one object of the invention, economy due to a simplified construction and a consequent reduction in the Serial No. 515,374.

cost of manufacturing the castings under conditions of quantity production, is an other.

Other objects of the invention, not at this time more particularly enumerated, will become more readily apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood, and the same consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying three sheets of drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a crane shovel embodying the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the improved dipper stick foot casting showing the same operatively applied to a dipper and dipper stick assembly.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the detached dipper stick casting.

Figure 4 is an enlarged top plan of the improved dipper stick casting, showing the same applied to a dipper stick. In this view the dipper proper is removed for the purpose of clarification.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 55 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line 66 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken substanso tially transversely through a wedge block employed in connection with the present in vention.

Figure 8 is a sectional view similar to Figure 6, showing a modified form of wedge 85 member and bolt employed in connection with the present invention.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken substan tially on the line 9-9 of Figure 8.

In all of the above described views, likegg characters of reference are employed to designate like parts throughout.

The improved foot casting as its name im plies is formed of a single unitary integral casting although it is obvious that the principles of the invention might be modified to include the formation of the dipper stick piece in some other manner, as for example by forging or the like. This casting is des1gnated generally at 10 and as shown in Figure 109 within the channels 1, is adapted to form an operative connection between the dipper 11 and the dipper stick 12, of an excavating machine 13 of the shovel crane type.

A plurality of ribs 14 and webs 15 form the central body portion of the casting. The webs 15 have apertures 16 of substantial dimensions extending therethrough to materiallylighten the casting and to decrease the expense of the same by effecting a saving in material. Formed of the body portion on opposite sides thereof are a pair of heads 17 These heads are identical in construction and a description of one will suffice for thebther;

for aiding in retaining the dipper stick side member 19 in position within the channel.

As shown in Figure 5, the dipper stick side members are rectangular in cross. section and are adapted to have their free ends received 18 of the heads 17. With the dipper stick side'members 19 in operative assembled position in the dipper stick assembly 12, the dipper stick foot casting 10 may readily be inserted on the end of the assembly by aligning the channels 18 withthe ends of these side members. When in positiomthe opposed 1nner sides of the side members will lie substantially flush with the bottoms of the channels 18.

In order to secure the foot casting upon the dipper stick assembly, a bolt 23 extends through the channel walls of each channel and passes through a transverse bore 24 adjacent the end of each respectivedipper stick side .member 19. Each bolt is secured in position by. a nut and acotter pin 26 extending through the bolt. In order to securely lock the side members 19 of the dipper stick assembly 12 in position in their respective channels 18, a wedge shaped bolt 27 extends across the opening of each channel 50 18 and extends through apertures 28 adjacent the outer edges of the side walls 20 of the channels. .The opposite ends of each bolt 27 are threaded as at 30 and 31, the pitch of the threads .on each bolt being opposite in direction. The threaded ends of each bolt receive a nut thereon These nuts in the'case of each bolt are designated at 29 and 32 and are provided with washers 29 and 32. A wedge member 33 is positioned between each bolt 27 andthe exposed side of the respective dipper stick side members 19. Each of these blocks 33 is provided with a groove 34, which grooves are tapered and are of uniformly varying depth from end to end. The blocks 33. extend transversely of their respective.

nuts 32.

channel from side wall to side wall. The

bolts 27 are not symmetrical about their axes but are provided with an inclined side 35 adapted'to be received within the respective rooves 34.

The foot casting lO is provided with a pair of bifurcated lugs 36 having aligned apertures 37 extending therethrough. These lugs are positioned onthe casting so asto-project from the upper sides 17 on which they are formed. These lugs 36 provide suitable attaching means for the dipper adjusting link 38 which is connected to the dipper 11. Extending from the lower sides of each head 17 of the dipper stickofoot casting is a lug 39 provided with an aperture 40 extending therethrough. These lugs form suitable attaching means whereby the dipper 11 may be pivotally secured to the foot castmg.

Formed on the dipper stickcasting 10 is a lug 4:1 towhich is secured a shackle bolt 42 which carries a trip line lever &3 having a shackle 44 pivoted thereto to which is attached a trip line chain it for the dipper 11.

From the above description of the dipper stick foot casting, it will be seen that a means hasbeen provided that will facilitate ready assembly or disassembly of the various dipper and dipper stick units in the field. When it is desired to remove the. dipper from the boom, for the purpose of displacement of either of theseparts, it is merely necessary to loosen the nuts 32, on the bolts 27. The bolts,v 27 may then be moved upwardly to relieve. the pressure against the wedge members 33 and to relieve the pressure of these members against the respective dipper stick side members 19. In the event that the bolts become jammed against the wedge blocks 33, the upper nut 29 may be tightened simultaneously with, or after, loosening of the Positive means is therefore provided for forced loosening of the bolts 27. When the bolts 27 have thus been loosened, the bolts 23 may beremoved in an obvious manner and the dipper stick footcasting may then be slid longitudinally from the end of the dipper stick.

In order to reassemble the parts after re placement, a reversal of the above outlined operation will serve this purpose. When the bolts 23 have been inserted through the bores 24 in their respective dipper stick side memmembers 33 loosely positioned in their proper places, the wedge members 33 may bers, and the bolts 27 and wedge against the projections 22 by tightening the nuts 32 while simultaneously loosening the j nutsi29 as they are drawn toward the heads 7 17. The dipper stick adjusting link 38, the trip line lever 43, and other parts of the boom assembly may be replaced in the usual manner. i

In the modification shown in' Figures 8 of the respective heads gradually be forced and 9, a slightly different form of wedge box is disclosed. This wedge box is designated at and is generally of channel shape in walls 61. The wedge member 60 fits snugly within the channel 18 of each head 17 and a bolt 64 having a flat inclined side 65 and oppositely threaded ends 66 extends through the aligned aperture 63 and is adapted to be positioned with its flat sides 65 against the "ottom Wall 62 of the wedge member. This bolt is adjustable vertically by means of nuts 67 receivable on the threaded portions 66 at opposite ends of the same. It will be seen therefore that in actual operation where replacement is to be made, assembly or disassembly is effected in the same manner as it is where the form of wedge member and bolt shown in Figures 6 and 7 are employed. I

It will be seen from the above description that because of the absence of the numerous bolt holes, bosses, and other formations on the casting, a device has been provided which is extremely simple and economical to manufacture from the point of View of foundry practice.

The invention is not to be limited to the exact arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings or described in this specification as various details in the construction of the foot casting may be altered without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Only insofar as the invention has been particularly pointed out in the accompanying claims is the same to be limited.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

l. The combination with a dipper stick, of a foot piece therefor having instrumentalities thereon for attachment to an excavating element, a socket for the end of said dipper stick, an engaging surface on said socket, and means for clamping a side of said dipper stick against said surface.

2. The combination with a dipper stick, of a foot piece therefor having instrumentalities thereon for attachment to an excavating element; a guide for the end of said dipper stick, an engaging surface on said guide, and adjustable means for clamping a side of said dipper stick against said surface.

3. The combination with a dipper stick, of a foot piece therefor having instrumentalities thereon for attachment to an excavating element, a guide for the end of said dipper stick, an anti-friction surface on said guide, a wedge member for clamping a side of said dipper stick against said surface, and a cam member engaging said wedge member for applying pressure to the sam 4. The combination with a dipper stick,

of a foot piece therefor having instrumentalities thereon for attachment to an excavating element, a guide for the end of said dipper stick, an anti-friction surface on said guide, a wedge member for clamping a side of said dipper stick against said surface, a cam member engaging said wedge member for applying pressure to the same, and means for adjusting the pressure applied to said wedge member by said cam member.

5. The combination with a dipper stick, a foot piece therefor having instrumentalities thereon for attachment'to an excavating element, a guide for the end of said dipper stick, an anti-friction surface on said guide,

a wedge member for clamping a side of said dipper stick against said surface, a cam member engaging said wedge member for applying pressure to the same, means for adjusting the pressure applied to said wedge mem her by said cam member, and cooperating means on said cam member and said wedge member for preventing dislodgement of said wedge member.

6. The combination with a dipper stick, of a foot piece therefor having instrumentalities thereon for attachment to an excavating element, a channel shaped guide adapted to receive the end of said dipper stick, the bottom of said guide having an anti-friction surface thereon, a tapered bolt extending across the sides of the channel shaped guide, and a wedge member disposed between said tapered bolt and said dipper stick.

7. The combination with a dipper stick, of a foot piece therefor having instrumentalities thereon for attachment to an excavating element, a guide for the end of said dipper stick. said guide being substantially channel shaped in cross section and adapted to receive an end of said dipper stick therein in alignment with the channel, and cam means for clamping a side of said dipper stick against the bottom of said channel shaped guide.

8. The combination with a dipper stick having side members, of a foot piece therefor having instrumentalities thereon for attachment to an excavating element, a pair of guides formed in said foot piece, each guide having an anti-friction surface therein and being adapted to receive an end of one of said side members, and means for clamping a side of each side member against said anti-friction surface.

9. The combination with a dipper stick,

of a foot piece therefor having instrumentalities thereon for attachment to an excavating element, a channel shaped guide formed in said foot piece having parallel side walls and a bottom, said guide being adapted to receive an end of said dipper stick, there being aligned apertures in said side walls spaced from the bottom thereof, a tapered bolt extending through said apertures, said bolt bethe dipper stick ing'adapted toapply pressure to said dipper stick'to clamp the same within said guide, and means for adjusting said bolt axially to vary the pressure applied to saiddipper stick.

'10.The combination, with a dipper stick, of adipper stick foot piece having a recess therein adapted to receive one end of the dipper stick, a bolt and a clamping member com-' thereto carried by the foot piece and quickly movable into and out of engagement with the'dipper stick to clamp and to release the same within the recess.

11. The combination, with a dipper stick, of a foot piece therefor having a recess therein adaptedto receive an end of the dipper stick, an instrumentality extending across the recess outwardly of the dipper stick, and adjustable means for quickly moving said instrumentality into and out of engagement plementary with the dipper stick and to'clamp andto release the same within the recess.

12. The combination with a dipper stick, of a foot piece thereforhavingarecess therein adapted to receive an end of the dipper stick, a wedge shaped bolt extending across said recess, a wedge disposed between said bolt and the dipper stick, and means for adjusting said bolt vertically to move said wedge laterally quickly into and out of engagement with to clamp the same within the recess.

13. The combination with a dipper stick, of a foot piece therefor having a recess therein adapted to receive an end of thedipper stick, a wedge shaped bolt extending across said recess, a wedge disposed between said bolt and the dipper stick, means for adjusting said bolt vertically to. move said wedge laterally quickly into and out of engagement with the dipper stick to clamp the same within the recess, and auxiliary means for preventing longitudinal movement of the dipper stick within the recess.

14. The combination with a dipper stick,

of a foot piece therefor having a recess 7 lease the same within its respective recess. 7

17. In combination, a dipper stick, a dipper therefor, a footpiece interconnecting the dipper stick and dipper, a quickly removable fastening passing through the foot piece and dipper stick, and acooperating clamping device for also connecting the foot piece and dipper stick and quickly adjustable to permit of their separation.

18. Incombination, a dipper stick, a dipper. therefor, a foot piece interconnecting the dipper, a quickly removable fastening passing through the foot piece and dipper stick, and a cooperating clamping device for also connecting the said foot piece and dipper stick and quickly adjustable to permit of their separation, the foot piece having a socket portion to receive the end dipper stick and of the stick, and means to quickly adjust the clamp device to engage and disengage the stick,'the fastening and clamp'parts afiording a quickly detachable connection for facilitating removal of the dipper fromithe stick or vice'versa.

In testimony whereof I aflix' my signature.

A LPHEUS E. HOLCOM'B.

therein adapted to receive an end of the dipper stick, a wedge shaped bolt extending across said recess, a wedge disposed between said bolt and the dipper stick, means for f adjusting said bolt vertically to move said wedge laterally quickly into andout of engagement with thedipper stick to clamp the same within the recess, and auxiliary means extending through thedipper stick and foot piece for preventing longitudinal movement of the dipperv stick within the recess.

15. The combination with a dipper stick, of adipper stick foot piece having a head thereon provided witha recess adapted to receive the end of the dipper stick, means carried by the foot piece quickly movable into and out of engagement with the dipper I stick to clamp and to release the same, within the recess, the said means comprising an ad- 

